Londoners are among the Brits squandering 74 days of their lives on average in slow-moving traffic, with two-thirds (61 per cent) of us complaining that constant stop-start driving is what we hate most about our roads.

Research from Castrol, one of the world’s leading lubricant manufacturers, today revealed that persistent stopping and starting was even more frustrating for drivers than roadworks and diversions (58 per cent) and the behaviour of other drivers (46 per cent).

But our fears and frustrations are not just caused by having to stop for the vehicle in front. A third of us (36 per cent) also admit to being embarrassed after being caught looking at the person next to them in traffic jams.

Perhaps for this exact reason, a quarter (25 per cent) confess that they dread pulling up in traffic next to their ex the most, followed by their boss.

The harsh reality of stop-start traffic has been given a lighter perspective by Castrol in a new video that draws parallels between its wearing effects on people and on engines - showing one unlucky driver stuck in a very awkward ex-girlfriend situation thanks to his slow-moving journey.

Watch the video from Castrol that shows humorous take on traffic nightmares below:

As well as causing occasional embarrassment, traffic has also been responsible for more than a third (38 per cent) of Brits missing an important event, work meeting (12 per cent) or even a funeral (5 per cent).